Trimming-table for coffins



'(NqModeL) 2 sheets-sheet 1.

S. S. HOT'GHKISS.

TRIMMING TABLE FOR GOFFINS, &c. No. 499,997. Patented June 20, 1893.

(No Model.)

s; s. HOTOHKISS.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

TRIMMING TABLE FOR GOTPINS, &c.

Patented June 20, 1893.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SYDNEY s. I-IOTOHKISS, or COLUMBUS, onto.

TRlMMlNG-TABLE FOR COFFINS, o.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 499,997, dated June 20, 1893.

Application filed August 22, 1892. Serial No. 443,762. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, SYDNEY S. HOTCHKISS, a citizen of the United States, residing at C0- lumbus, in the county of Franklin, and in the State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trimming-Tables for Coffins, Caskets, &c.; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a trimming table'constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 a transverse section there of; and Fig. 3 a view of the under side of the tilting or movable platform or table.

Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in-the several figures.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved table for use in trimming caskets and coffins, and, to this end, said invention consists in the table and the parts thereof constructed and combined substantially as and for the purpose hereinafter specified.

Referring to the drawings by letter A designates the table or platform to receive and hold the cofiin or casket, while being trimmed. Said table as is usual, is supported or mounted so as to be capable of being tilted on a horizontal axis through substantially a semicircle, to enable a workman to haveconvenient and easy access to all parts of the coflin or casket being operated on. The supporting means I employ consist of an arm B that is attached to the under side of the table, near each of its ends, whose lower end is pivotally attached to a side support or piece 0. The top 0 of each of the latter, is arched or curved, through a semi-circle, on an arc whose center is the point of attachment of the arm B to the support, and, preferably, for purposes of ornamentation and lightness, the supports O and C are of open work and not solid.

To hold the table A at the desired angle of adjustment, within its range of movement, a series of notches c is provided in the inner edge of the arched top 0 of each side support 0, with any one of which the outer end of a locking rod E, is adapted to engage, after passing through an opening in the arm B. The inner ends of the locking rods E are carried to the longitudinal center of the tableA and are attached respectively on opposite sides of its pivot, to a lever F that is pivotally secured to the under side of said table. Said lever F normally stands crosswise of the table and has such length, as to enable it to be grasped and operated from either side thereof. By it both rods are simultaneously moved. A spring G, coiled, or of other form, isattaohed to the lever F on each side of its pivot, to normally hold the locking rods E,E in engagement with their respective notches c.

To limit the movement of the lever F when it is operated to disengage the locking rods from their notches, and thus prevent said rods from being drawn out of the openings in the table carrying bars B, B, a stop pin a is fixed to the under side of the table A, in the path of one end of said lever, so as to engage and stop the same, and a like pin a is provided to be engaged by the other end of said lever to prevent the springs G from moving the same and the locking rods too far when the springs are free to act.

The arrangementof the releasing lever of the locking mechanism, so as to be accessible from both sides of the table is very advantageous, as it enables the table to be conveniently used from either side; and the employment of a locking device at each end of the table is of value, in that the table is thus firmly and securely held at two points. 4

For the temporary attachment of the coifin or casket to be trimmed, to the table A, I provide near each end of the latter two screws H and H that are adapted to bescrewed into the bottom of the casket or coffin. The heads of these screws are accessible from the under side of the table A and their shanks pass loosely through openings provided for them in said table. Each screw is prevented from dropping out of its opening in the table by a shoulder h formed thereon by reducing its diameter near its head, which shoulder cooperates with a plate I fastened to the under side of the table A, and having an opening through which said reduced portion passes, but of less diameter than the shoulder h. The reduced portion of the screw is sufficiently long to allow all necessary longitudinal movement of the screw. These screws afiord a simple but thoroughly efficient means for holding the coffin or casket to the table. When not in use, their upper ends are flush with or slightly below the top surface of the ta .e.

Attached to and supported between the two side pieces 0, C far enough below the table A not to interfere with its movement is a cabinet or case containing a number of drawers K, constructed with especial reference to use with a trimming table. Said case has end pieces, a top and. a bottom, but no back, so that the drawers can be pulled out from either side.

Both of the exposed faces or ends of the drawers have suitable pulls orhandles k, and two latches are provided on each drawer to resist outward movement in both directions. Each latch consists of a spring plate or strip L secured to the under side of the drawer and having its free end provided with an abrupt, vertical bend Z, to engage a suitable projection or stop m on the drawer guide and support or partition M.

An extensionl projecting outward through an opening in the lower edge of the face of the drawer constitutes means by which the latch maybe disengaged and the drawer permitted to be pulled open.

As the latches L normally tend downward to a position to engage the stops m, it will be seen that, when a drawer has been opened, on its return within the case, the latch on the opposite side will limit its return, movement, and prevent its being passed through the case and projected beyond the other side thereof.

The convenience in having the drawers arranged to be accessible from either side of the table will be readily perceived, as thus the time and annoyanceiuvolved in passing from one side to the other, should they open only on one side and the workman be on the other, are obviated.

The top N of the drawer, cabinet or case affords a convenient fixed or stationary table to receive tools, or instruments or material not being used.

Although specially applicable to trimming tables I wish it understood that I do not limit myself only to such use of my drawer, but

deem myself entitled to its employment in other relations; and with, reference to the details of construction of my table it is to be understood that they may be varied without departure from the scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a trimming table, in combination with a tilting support pivoted at its opposite ends, a locking device and the lever carried by the support, intermediate its ends for releasing the locking device, and extending crosswise thereof so as to be accessible-from both sides of said support, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In combination with the table or support,.the pivoted arms attached to the same at its ends, the side pieces to which said arms are pivoted provided with looking notches,

the two oppositely eXtending'Iocking rods to co-operate with such notches, and the lever to which said rods are connected, pivoted to and extending crosswise of said table so as be accessible from eithersidethe'reof, substantially as and for the purpose shown.

3. In combination with a tilting trimming table, pivoted at its opposite ends, the looking mechanism to act at each end comprising two notch engaging rods, the lever to which said rods are attached, pivoted to the under side of said table at or near its center, and

extending cross-wise thereof in position to be grasped from either side, a spring, or springs for moving said lever and rods in one direction and stops to limit its movement in both directions, substantially as and for the purpose specified. I

4. In combination with a tilting trimming table and. a locking mechanism therefor, means for holding a coffin or casket thereto consisting of a swiveled screw passing loosely through an opening therein andadapted to have a limited degree of longitudinal movement, and having its upper, threaded en when with use, within such opening, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

'5.,In,combination with a suitable support or case a drawer adapted to be opened at either side thereof and provided with a latch at both ends, having" an abrupt face to resist movement of the drawerin one direction only, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. In combination with a suitable support or case a drawer adapted to be opened at either side thereof, and a latch secured to the bottom of the drawer at each end thereof to engage a projection or stopvon the drawer support to resist movement of the drawer in 1 onedirection only, substantiallyas and for the purpose described.

7. In combination with a suitable support or case, a drawer adapted to be opened at either side thereof a spring plate secured to the bottom of the drawer at each end thereof having an abrupt portion to engage a stop on the drawer support and an extension projecting to the outside of the drawer to enable it to be released from said stop, substantially as and for the purpose shown.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 20th day of July, 1892.

SYDNEY S. HOTCHKISS.

Witnesses:

EDWARD STRITMATTER, WM. T. MOCL RE.

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